Crackdown on property tax defaulters, underperforming officers launched

LAHORE:The Punjab Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department has announced launching a decisive crackdown on property tax defaulters as well as officers failing to meet tax recovery targets.

Excise & Taxation Director General Umar Sher Chattha emphasised that accountability will no longer be limited to tax defaulters alone rather the officers responsible for low tax collection will also be held accountable for their performance.

He said that a comprehensive performance review is under way, and lists of underperforming officers are being compiled. Officers failing to meet their recovery targets will first be issued show-cause notices. If no improvement is seen, their salaries will be deducted, and by the end of the year they will be removed from their positions.

He said the department is implementing stringent measures to achieve the Rs28 billion revenue collection target. The ETO Operations will directly monitor the recovery process to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Providing an update on enforcement actions, Chattha shared that a total of 12,000 properties in Lahore, defaulting on Rs860 million, have been sealed in the past 12 days. More than 38,000 properties, with outstanding dues of Rs1.5 billion have been sealed across the province. However, tax recovery efforts have led to swift de-sealing of properties upon payment.

In Lahore, 3,600 properties have been de-sealed after payments of Rs110 million, while across Punjab, 11,000 properties have been restored following recoveries amounting to Rs830 million The DG issued a stern warning that no officer is authorised to illegally de-seal any property without proper tax payment. Any violation will result in strict legal action. He further urged property owners to fulfill their tax obligations on time to avoid legal consequences.